Waitakere United
Waitakere United was a football club based in Waitakere City, New Zealand. They were one of the franchises in the ISPS Handa Premiership. They played their home games at Fred Taylor Park in Kumeu and The Trusts Arena.
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| Full name | Waitakere United | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2004 | ||
| Dissolved | 2021 | ||
| Ground | Douglas Field at The Trusts Arena | ||
| Capacity | 3,000[1] | ||
| Chairman | Peter Bult | ||
| Manager | Paul Hobson | ||
| League | ISPS Handa Premiership | ||
| 2019-20 | 3rd | ||
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History
Waitakere United was formed as a special franchise club in 2004 to play in the New Zealand Football Championship (NZFC), New Zealand's top domestic football competition. The team represented 12 member clubs from Mt Albert to the Kaipara.
In the inaugural season (2004–05) of the NZFC, Waitakere United finished runners-up to the champions Auckland City but they followed up with a very disappointing 6th place in the next season. In the following season, however, Waitakere finished as NZFC premiers but lost in the grand final once again to Auckland City FC 3–2.
Due to the withdrawal of Vanuatu's Port Vila Sharks, Waitakere was given a berth in the inaugural OFC Champions League, for 2007, as NZFC premiers. They finished atop their group, edging out Auckland City and New Caledonia's AS Mont-Dore. They went on to defeat Ba FC of Fiji in the final, becoming the first OFC-League champions. Commins Menapi scored a crucial away goal that proved the difference as the tie finished 2–2 in aggregate. Taking this championship qualified United to compete in the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan, where they lost in the 'play-in' match to Sepahan 1–3.
Waitakere United defended their championship in capturing the 2007–08 OFC Champions League, defeating Kossa in the final 6–3 in goal aggregate. During this season, Douglas Field was under extensive renovation forcing Waitakere United to play most of their home fixtures at Fred Taylor Park in Whenuapai.
Waitakere had a notable rivalry with neighbours Auckland City. With the change of structure of football in New Zealand at the start of 2021, and the creation of the new New Zealand National League,[2] this saw the end of Waitakere United, and consequently the end of the Auckland Derby.[3]
Honours
- New Zealand Football Championship
- OFC Champions League (2): 2007, 2007–08
- ASB National Youth League (2): 2008, 2011
- ASB Phoenix Challenge: 2010
- ASB Charity Cup: 2012
Performance in OFC competitions
- OFC Champions League: 7 appearances
FIFA Club World Cup History
| FIFA Club World Cup History | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Score | Result | Scorers |
| 2007 | Play-off |  Waitakere United 1 – 3 Sepahan  | Loss | Aghily  74' (o.g.) |
| 2008 | Play-off | Waitakere United 1 – 2 Adelaide United .svg.png.webp){kind=small} | Loss | Seaman 34' |
Current squad
As of 23 January 2021
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Staff
- Youth Team Coach:
Mark Holt - Goalkeeper coach: Kevin O'Leary
Managers
- Chris Milicich (2004–05)
- Steve Cain (1 July 2006 – 30 June 2007)
- Chris Milicich (1 July 2007 – 30 June 2009)
- Neil Emblen (1 July 2009 – 30 June 2012)
- Paul Marshall (1 July 2012 – 30 June 2013)
- Paul Temple &
Brian Shelley(1 July 2013–15) - Chris Milicich (2015 – 2019)
- Paul Hobson (30 November 2019 – Present)
References
- "Trusts Stadium Grandstand, Waitakere". Engenium. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
- "New National League system". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
- "Final whistle for famous names". New Zealand Football. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.